Liquid treating apparatus



July 28, 19 42. R. PARKER 2,291,556

LIQUID TREATING APPARATUS Filed June 14, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 Steam 2 Shets-Sheefl 2 July 28, 1942. R. PARKER LIQUID TREATING APPARATUS Filed June 14, 1940 Patented July 28, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIQUID TREATING APPARATUS Royce L. Parker, Addison, 111. Application June 14, 1940, Serial No. 340,608 2 Claims. (01. 257-62) This invention relates to liquid treating apparatus such as pasteurizers, liquid coolers, and the like. The invention will be found applicable also to other uses.

An object of the invention is to provide new milk treating apparatus in which hot or cold liquids may be brought into contact with desired surfaces in the liquid container. Another object of the invention is to provide a pasteurizer or cooler equipped with extremely simple and effective means for producing the cooling or heating desired. A further object is to provide a container with a ring closure extending between the double walls of the container, the closure itself providing a reservoir or manifold through which hot or cold liquids may be discharged. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated, in a preferred embodiment, in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a side elevational View of apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a broken and greatly enlarged vertical sectional view of the container portion of the apparatus, and Fig. 3, a broken, enlarged detail view, the view being taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 2.

For the purpose of clarity, the invention will be described herein in connection with a pasteurizer or cooler.

In the illustration given, A designates a vat or container equipped with a closure B.

The closure B is supported upon a bracket II) in the usual manner. A motor II is carried by the closure and drives a propeller equipped shaft I2 which is journalled within the cover in the angular position shown in Fig. l.

The container A may be of any suitable construction and made of any suitable materials. In the illustration given, an inner container I 3V is formed of stainless steel or other suitable material and an outer container I4 is likewise formed of steel, stainless steel, or other suitable material.

Between the spaced vertical walls of containers I3 and I4 and uniting them at the top is a pipe I5 circular in cross section and formed in the shape of a ring. The pipe I 5 is integrally united with the walls of containers I3 and I4 by welding at I 6. The pipe I5 is preferably formed of stainless steel or other suitable material and it is provided on its inner side with spaced perforations I! which causes liquid within the pipe to be sprayed onto the inner container wall I 3.

Any suitable means for supplying hot or cold liquid at the pipe I5 may be employed. In the illustration given, I show a cold water pipe I8 equipped with a control valve I9 and having its upper end extending through and into the pipe 20 is perforated at 24 to allow water which rises to a suitable level within the space between members I3 and I4, as, for example, to the level indicated by the letter X, to flow into pipe 20 where it meets the steam and is heated thereby. The hot water is carried by the steam into pipe I5 and is distributed through the outlets II onto the inner container wall I 3.

Operation In operation, when it is desired to pasteurize milk or other liquid, the inner vat or container I3 is filled or partially filled with the milk or other liquid. The closure B is then dropped into closed position and the motor II started to rotate the propeller shaft I2. Steam is supplied through pipe 22 and serves to heat the water which flows into pipe 20 through apertures 24 and carries the heated water upwardly into the pipe I5. From pipe I5, the heated liquid is distributed through openings II onto the inner container wall I3, thus heating the milk or other liquid within the inner container while the same is being stirred. After the milk has been pasteurized, the same may be cooled by closing off the steam line valve 25 and opening the cold water valve I9.

Similarly, when it is desired to simply cool milk or other liquid, the same may be placed Within the inner container I3 and cold water admitted through pipe I8 into the interior of pipe I5. The milk or other liquid, as it cools, is preferably stirred by the propeller equipped shaft I2 shown.

The closure ring I5 not only serves to unite the inner and outer container walls but also as a distributing manifold or reservoir itself. At the same time, it provides a curved top surface adapted to receive the necks of milk cans or other containers which are being emptied. It further provides an extremely strong surface adapted to resist pressure and blows while at the same time providing high utility as a conduit itself. The structure is extremely simple, substantially reducing costs, while at the same time providing a distributing means within the very top border of the container.

The openings II of the ring pipe i5 are preferably of the shape shown, having the sides of the opening tapering forwardly and outwardly. With an opening of this shape, any lime deposits or other deposits from the water or liquids used tend to break off and are washed outwardly from the flared walls. Thus the inclined walls of the opening prevent stoppage and automatically serve to remove whatever accumulations do occur.

Since the ring pipe [5 is preferably formedof stainless steel, there is no tendency for acids or the like to attack it. By making the vertical pipes 18 and 20 of copper, or other suitable material, there is no tendency for them to be injured by acids or the like.

To drain the *pasteurizer, any suitable opening equipped with suitable valves, leak detector valves and other connections may be employed. In the illustration given, the outlet opening is indicated by the numeral 2l-. Preferably, the lower wall of the inner container I3 is inclined or bulged so that the opening 21 is located at the lowest point in the bottom of container l3, thus making all of the liquid within the container readily flow to the opening 2'! and from thence through the valve connections (not shown).

The ring pipe is preferably circular to fit the circular walls of the inner and outer containers. However, should the shape of the container be changed, the pipe l5 may be bent to assume a corresponding shape. The heated water passing into the pipe [5 serves to maintain a sterilizing temperature not only upon the inner container wall but also to the very apex or top of the pipe rim l5 itself, thus insuring a sterile surface from the extreme top portion of the apa horizontally disposed pipe loop, substantially circular in cross section, fitting between the side walls at their top to form a rim and close the space between said walls, said pipe having perforations in the lower portion thereof through which liquid may spray onto the interior wall, and a liquid supp-1y pipe extending between said Vertical walls and through said pipe loop to a point spaced above the bottom of said pipe loop, said supply pipe being equipped with a steam jet for introducing steam into said pipe loop.

2. In a pasteurizer, a pair of nested containers spaced apart to provide a liquid space therebetween, a pipe annulus fitting between said containers at the top thereof to close the liquid space, said annulus being provided with spray perforations therebetween, a vertical pipe extending between said containers and into said annulus, said pipe at its lower end being provided with openings through which liquid within said liquid space may flow into said vertical pipe, and a steam injector nozzle in the lower portion of said vertical pipe to heat the liquid therein and to carry said heated liquid into said annulus.

ROYCE L. PARKER. 

